Fastening block for mounting objects on a profiled rail

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a fastening block for mounting objects on a profiled rail ( 12 ) having an at least approximately rectangular cross-section. The fastening block comprises a housing part ( 14 ) with at least one claw ( 26 ), which is fixed to the housing and reaches over the profiled rail ( 12 ) so that the housing part ( 14 ) rests against two faces of the profiled rail ( 12 ) via contact surfaces that are parallel to the profiled rail ( 12 ). The fastening block also comprises an L-shaped moving clamping part ( 28 ) which, with its first L-limb ( 30 ), is mounted on the housing part ( 14 ) in a manner that permits it to pivot about a first axis ( 32 ) that is parallel to the contact surfaces and which is pretensioned into a clamping position in which it reaches around the profiled rail ( 12 ) with its second L-limb ( 34 ) provided in the form of a claw. Lastly, the fastening block comprises a tightening device ( 40, 46, 72 ) for tightening and blocking the clamping part ( 28 ) in the clamping position. A draw rod ( 40 ) is coupled to an actuating extension ( 36 ) of the first L-limb ( 30 ) of the clamping part ( 28 ) in a manner that enables it to pivot about a second axis ( 38 ) that is parallel to the first axis ( 32 ), said actuating extension being aligned radial to the first axis ( 32 ). The draw rod extends approximately parallel to the second L-limb ( 34 ). The tightening device has a tightening screw ( 72 ) that is coupled to the draw rod ( 40 ) while being resistant to tensile forces and is directly or indirectly supported on the housing part ( 14 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a fastening block for mounting objects on aprofiled rail with at least approximately rectangular cross section; itcomprises a housing part with at least one housing-attached claw, whichis intended for overlapping the profiled rail in such a manner that thehousing part with application surfaces which are parallel to theprofiled rail is applied against at least two surfaces of the profiledrail, a L-shaped movable clamp part which is attached with a first L legon the housing part in a manner so it can be swiveled about a first axiswhich is parallel to the application surfaces and it is prestressed bymeans of a spring in a clamping position in which, with its second L legwhich is designed in the form of a claw, it encloses the profiled rail,and a clamp device for clamping and stopping the clamp part in theclamping position.

A fastening block of the above-mentioned type is known, for example,from DE-A-31 49 219. Such fastening blocks are used, for example, formounting accessory devices to an operating table. Care must be taken inthe process to securely mount these accessory devices on the profiledrail, and to allow for the rapid and simple actuation of the fasteningblocks.

In the known embodiment, the clamp part is attached to the cylindricalsection of a bolt, which is eccentric with respect to the swivel axis,and which is connected in a torque-proof manner to an adjustmentelement. Because of this attachment of the clamp part, the latter can beswiveled not only with respect to the housing part, but also be movedvertically to a swivel axis. This allows the possibility of placing thefastening block with clearance on the profiled rail and then to pull theclamp part by a rotation of the bolt and with elimination of theclearance onto the profiled rail, so that a clearance-free seat of thefastening block on the profiled rail is ensured.

In the known fastening blocks, the housing part is integrally connectedto the accessory part which is to be applied on the operating table,that is, for example, by welding. Because the bearing bolt for the clamppart extends through two parallel surfaces of the housing part, onlyrelatively few surfaces are available on the housing part for connectionwith an accessory part. Moreover, the same fastening block cannot beconnected as desired with different accessory parts.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the problem of providing a fastening block ofthe type mentioned in the introduction, which can be used for multiplepurposes, ensures a secure mounting on the profiled rail and can beactuated in a simple and rapid manner.

The problem is solved according to the invention by coupling a pull rodto an actuation projection which is directed radially toward the firstaxis and which belongs to the first L arm of the clamp part, about asecond axis which is parallel to the first axis, where the pull rodextends approximately parallel to the second L leg, and by the fact thatthe clamp device has a clamping screw, which is coupled in a mannerwhich allows tension to be applied to the pull rod and which is directlyor indirectly braced on the housing part. The fastening block accordingto the invention guarantees, just as does the fastening block known fromDE-A-31 49 215, a secure mounting on the profiled rail, even withoutprestressing and stopping the clamp part. However, the solutionaccording to the invention offers a greater reliability because theclamping screw cannot be sufficiently loosened by an accidental motionto allow the lifting of the fastening block from the profiled rail. Inthe known solution, in which the clamp part is clamped only by a 90°rotation of an eccentric bolt, the latter can be misadjusted due to anunintentional movement out of the clamping position into its releaseposition, and thus the fastening block can be loosened. Furthermore, inthe solution according to the invention the first L leg forms a two-armlever, to one end of which the second L leg which is applied against aprofile rail is attached, and with whose other end the pull rod engages.In connection with the thread gearing of the clamping screw, a very highclamp torque can thus be transferred to the clamp part in a simplemanner. An additional advantage of the solution according to theinvention consists in that the clamping device requires only one surfaceof the housing part, so that the other surfaces of the housing part areavailable for integral connection to an accessory part to be mounted.

In a preferred embodiment, the pull rod is coupled with a clampingsleeve, which can be axially shifted in a housing guide which is coaxialto the pull rod axis, which has, in a section which extends at leastpartially out of the housing part, a perforation which is orientedperpendicularly to its axis and which, at its axial external end, has acoaxial threaded bore which intersects the perforation, and into which aclamping screw provided with a handle engages.

The solution offers the possibility of introducing into the perforationof the clamping sleeve, a rod which is connected to the accessory to bemounted, and the possibility of not only clamping the clamp part withthe clamping screw, but also including in the clamping the rod which isconnected to the accessory part. In the process, the rod is pressedagainst the external end of the housing guide, which can be formed froma pipe section in which a recess which is open to the external axial endof the pipe section is formed, which is brought to a position so that itcovers a part of the perforation cross section in the case of an axialshift of the clamping sleeve. The clamped rod thus not only passesthrough the perforation in the clamping sleeve, it also engages in therecess in the pipe section of the housing guide in such a manner that itis fixed in its position relative to the housing part.

The pipe section can be designed as a toothed ring, which is removablyconnected to the housing part and which presents, on its end which isturned toward the housing part, a toothing which engages with a countertoothing on the housing part. This allows a rotation of the pipe sectionrelative to the housing part and thus a change in the position of anaccessory part relative to the housing part of the fastening block,where, as a result of the engagement of the toothing and the countertoothing, a given position of the pipe section can be securely fixed.

It is preferred for the pull rod to present, at its free end, a headwhich is radially broader compared to the rod shaft, whose surfaceturned toward the rod shaft is designed in the form of a segment of aspherical surface and which is intended for application to acomplementary shaped bearing surface of the clamping sleeve, which, likea ring, surrounds the pull rod. As a result, it is not only possible torotate the clamping sleeve about the axis of the pull rod, for example,to change the adjustment of a clamped accessory part relative to thefastening block, one can also carry out a swivel motion of the pull rodrelative to the clamping sleeve, because the pull rod, during anadjustment of the clamp part, performs not only a purely axial movementbut also a swivel movement, whereas the clamping sleeve in the housingguide can only be shifted axially.

In a second embodiment of the fastening block according to theinvention, which is intended for an integral connection of the housingpart with an accessory part, the clamping screw is in a direct threadedengagement with the pull rod. For this purpose, the clamping screw, forexample, surrounds a threaded sleeve which is rotatably braced on thehousing part and provided with a handle, and which has an internalthreading, in which the pull rod provided with an external threadingengages. In order to allow, in this case as well, a simultaneous axialand swivel movement of the pull rod during the adjustment of the clamppart, the support surface of the threaded sleeve is advantageouslyformed as a segment of a spherical surface, which is applied against acomplementary shaped bearing surface of the housing part.

Additional characteristics and advantages of the invention are obtainedfrom the following description, which explains, in connection with thedrawing in the appendix, the invention with reference to two embodimentexamples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a partially schematic perspective view of a firstembodiment of a fastening block according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a section through the fastening block along line II-II inFIG. 1, which section contains the axis of the clamping screw and isoriented perpendicularly to the swivel axis of the clamp part,

FIG. 3 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 1 of a second embodiment ofthe fastening block according to the invention, and

FIG. 4 shows a section corresponding to the section according to FIG. 2,through the fastening block along line IV-IV in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a fastening block bearing thegeneral reference numeral 10, which can be attached on a profiled rail12 which is indicated with a broken line and which has a rectangularcross section, where the profiled rail serves for the mounting ofdifferent accessory parts, not shown, on the profiled rail 12. Theprofiled rail 12 can be arranged, for example, along the patient'sbedding surface of an operating table.

The fastening block 10 has an approximately cubic housing part 14 with afront side 16, a cover surface 18, side surfaces 20 and 22 as well as afloor surface 24. On the back side of the housing part 14, ahousing-attached claw 26 is formed, which can overlap the profiled rail12 in the manner represented in FIG. 2, when the fastening block isplaced on the profiled rail 12. The housing-attached claw 26 isassociated with a movable clamp part 28, which, in the representation ofFIG. 2, has a L-shaped profile and which is attached, in a manner so itcan be swiveled, with one of its L legs 30 to a shaft 32 which passesthrough the side walls 20 and 22. The other L leg 34, is also designedin the form of a claw and it grabs under the profiled rail 12, as can beseen in FIG. 2. The clamp part 34 is prestressed by a spring 36, whichis braced, on the one hand, on the wall of the housing part 14 and, onthe other hand, on the clamp part 28, in the clamping positionrepresented in FIG. 2.

The first L leg 30 of the clamp part 28 has a projection 36 whichprojects above the shaft 32, to which a pull rod 40 is attached in amanner which allows swiveling about an axis 38 which is parallel to theshaft 32. The latter pull rod has a shaft 42, on whose free end, a head44 is formed whose diameter is larger than that of the shaft 42. Thepull rod 40 engages in a clamping sleeve 46, which is coaxial to it, andwhich is led in a manner so it can be axially shifted in a guide 48formed in the front wall 37 of the housing part 14. The head 44 of thepull rod 40 has, on its bottom side which is turned toward the axis 38,a segment of a spherical surface 50, and it lies against acomplementarily shaped bearing surface 52, which concentricallysurrounds the pull rod 40, and which is formed inside the clampingsleeve 46. The clamping sleeve 46 can freely rotate inside the guide 48of the housing part 14 about its axis and it can be shifted in the axialdirection, where the axial movement in the pull out direction, that isin the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 2, is limited by the abutment ofan end section 54, with larger diameter, of the clamping sleeve 46 on astep 56 in the guide 48.

The clamping sleeve 46, in its area which at least partially extends outof the guide 48, presents a perforation 58 which extends perpendicularlyto the longitudinal axis of the clamping sleeve 46 and through which amounting rod of an accessory part, not shown, which is to be clamped incan be inserted. The external part of the guide 48 is formed by atoothed ring 60, which can be axially shifted on the clamping sleeve 46and which is connected in a torque-proof manner with the clamping sleeve46 by a radial pin 61, which engages in an axis-parallel groove of theclamping sleeve 46, and which, on its axial end turned toward thehousing part 14, presents a toothing 62 which is in engagement with acounter toothing 64 formed on the housing part 14. Furthermore, thetoothed ring 60, on its axial end which is turned toward the housingpart 14, presents a recess 66 which is designed in such a manner that itcan be brought in a position where it covers a part of the cross sectionof the perforation 58, as shown in particular in FIG. 1. Thus, a rodwhich is inserted into the perforation 58, also partially engages in therecess 66.

At its end which is far from the housing part 14, the clamping sleeve 46has a threaded bore 68 which is coaxial to the longitudinal axis of theclamping sleeve 46, into which a T-screw 72 is screwed, which isconnected to a bar 70.

During its use, the fastening block 10 is placed transversely from abovewith the claw 26 formed on the housing part 14 on the profiled rail 12.The claw shaped second L leg 34 of the clamp part 28 is then in aposition applied on the profiled rail 12. As a result of the geometricarrangement of the clamp part 28, a torque is generated which swivelsthe clamp part 28 in the opening direction when the placed fasteningblock 10 is pressed downward in its horizontal position. The clamp part28 is then opened and finally it snaps over the bottom margin of theprofiled rail 12 in the position represented in FIG. 2. When the clamppart 28 encloses the profiled rail, the closure of the claws 26 and 34on the profiled rail 12 is supported by the spring or springs 36, bymeans of which the clamp part 28 is clamped against the profiled rail12. In this situation already, torques of any magnitude within the rangeof admissible loads acting about any of the axes can no longer loosenthe generated closure. Thus, one safety factor is already provided inthe condition without clamping.

If an accessory part carrying rod is then inserted in the perforation 58of the clamping sleeve 46, and the T-screw 72 is turned with the help ofthe bar 70, then the space between the toothed ring 60 and the accessoryrod is shortened. If the space has been decreased in such a manner thatno place remains between the T-screw 72, the accessory rod and thetoothed ring 60, the clamping sleeve 46 moves away from the profiledrail. As a result, the pull rod 40 is also pulled in this direction,that is in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 2. As a result, theclamp part 28 in FIG. 2 is again swiveled clockwise, that is with its Lleg 34 clamped against the profiled rail 12. The fastening block 10 isthen stopped at the profiled rail 12. One can see that, prior totightening the T-screw by the gearing of the toothed ring 60, anyrotational position of the accessory rod relative to the housing part 14can be preselected and adjusted; this position can then be fixed in amanner which does not allow shifting by tightening the T-screw 72.

The separation of the fastening block 10 from the profiled rail 12 iscarried out by again turning the T-screw 72 open, until the insertedaccessory rod can be pulled out of the perforation 58. By axial pressureagainst the T-screw 72, the clamping sleeve 46 is shifted into thehousing part 14, in a direction opposite that of the arrow A. Theclamping sleeve 46 then presses against the L leg 30 of the clamp part28, as a result of which the latter is swiveled counterclockwise in FIG.2, that is in the opening direction. The fastening block 10 can then belifted from the profiled rail 12, by being swiveled upward and awaywhile the clamp part 28 is kept open.

As shown in the above description, the fixation of the fastening block10 on the profiled rail 12 and the clamping of an accessory part can becarried out conveniently and very simply from the front by a singleoperational element in a single clamping process, that is the T-screwcan also be easily reached. After the placement and snapping in of thefastening block on the profiled rail 12, a secure positive lock isalready achieved and a certain degree of adhesive force of the fasteningblock 10 on the profiled rail 12 is present, acting against the shiftingof the block along the rail. As a result of torques which are generatedby the clamped in accessory, there is an increase in the clamping forceof the fastening block on the profiled rail. Tolerances of the profiledrail 12 can be conveniently compensated by the thread for clamping theaccessory. The fastening block can be conveniently released by an axialpressure on the clamping screw or T-screw 72 and simultaneous tippingaway of the profiled rail 12.

In the fastening blocks which are represented in FIGS. 3 and 4,identical parts are again provided with identical reference numerals.This fastening block is intended for the positive connection withaccessory parts, that is the accessory parts are, for example, welded tothe fastening block. This fastening block differs from the embodimentaccording to FIGS. 1 and 2 in its clamp device.

On the free end of the pull rod 40, a ring 74 is applied, which isprovided with an external thread and which engages in a threaded bore 76in the clamping sleeve 46. The clamping sleeve 46, on its side which isturned toward the housing part 14, presents a segment of a sphericalsurface 78, which is applied against a ring shaped and complementarilyshaped bearing surface 80 formed on a housing-attached ring 82. As aresult, the clamping sleeve 46 can follow the swivel movement of thepull rod 40 during the adjustment of the clamp part 28. The applicationof the fastening block on the profiled rail 12 and the clamping andstopping of the clamp part 28 are carried out in the same manner as forthe first above described embodiment. To remove the fastening block fromthe profiled rail 12, the clamping sleeve 46 which acts as T-screw, isturned in the opening direction and then pressed in the direction ontothe profiled rail 12. As a result, the clamp part 28 is swiveled overthe pull rod 40 in the opening position, that is counterclockwise inFIG. 4, so that the fastening block 10 can be conveniently removed fromthe profiled rail 12.

1. Fastening block for mounting objects having a mounting rod on aprofiled rail (12) having an at least approximately rectangular crosssection, said block comprising: (a) a housing part (14) with at leastone housing-attached first claw (26), which is intended for overlappingthe profiled rail (12) in such a manner that the housing part (14) withapplication surfaces which are parallel to the profiled rail (12) isapplied against at least two surfaces of the profiled rail (12), (b) anL-shaped movable clamp part (28) having a first L leg (30) mountedwithin the housing part (14) in a manner so it can be swiveled about afirst axis (32) which is parallel to the application surfaces and it isprestressed in a clamping position, further the movable clamp partcomprises a second L leg (34), said first L leg (30) and said second Lleg (34) together forming a second claw wherein the second claw isadapted to be applied to the other end of the profiled rail opposed fromthe first claw, (c) a clamp device (40, 46, 72) in the housing part, theclamp device is mounted on the first leg for clamping and stopping theclamp part (28) in the clamping position, wherein the clamp devicecomprises an actuation projection, a pull rod, and a clamping screw, (d)the actuation projection (36) which is oriented radially to the firstaxis (32) and connected to the first L leg (30) of the clamp part (28),(e) the pull rod (40) which is coupled to the actuation projection in amanner so it can be swiveled about a second axis (38) which is parallelto the first axis (32), wherein said pull rod extends approximatelyparallel to the second L leg (34), (f) the clamping screw (72), which iscoupled to the clamp device to apply tension on the pull rod (40) tolock the movable clamp part in one position and the clamping screw ismovable directly or indirectly on the housing part (14), said clampingscrew (72) provided with a handle (70) engaging therein, (g) a clampingsleeve (46), mounted to the pull rod to guide the pull rod (40) in amanner which allows it to shift axially in a housing guide (48) which iscoaxial to the pull rod axis, (h) a perforation (58) in the clampingsleeve which is oriented perpendicularly to an axis of the clampingsleeve, in a section of the clamping sleeve (46) which extends axiallyat least partially out of the housing part (14), (i) the clamping sleeve(46) further having an axially external end with a coaxial threaded bore(68) which intersects the perforation (58).
 2. Fastening block accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the external end of the housing guide(48) is formed by a pipe section, in which a recess (66) is formed whichis open toward the axial external end of the pipe section, and which,during an axial shift of the clamping sleeve (46) comes into a positionwhere it covers a part of the perforation cross section.
 3. Fasteningblock according to claim 2, characterized in that the pipe section isdesigned as a toothed ring (60), which surrounds the clamping sleeve(46) and which, on an end which is turned toward the housing (14),presents a toothing (62) which engages with a counter toothing (64) onthe housing part (14).
 4. Fastening block according to one of claims1-3, characterized in that the pull rod (40), having a rod shaft (42)and, at at least one end, a head (44), said head being radially broadercompared to the rod shaft (42), where the surface of the head which isturned toward the rod shaft (42) has the shape of a segment of aspherical surface (50) and is intended for application against acomplementarily shaped bearing surface (52) of the clamping sleeve (46),which, like a ring, comprises the pull rod (40).
 5. Fastening block formounting objects on a profiled rail (12) having an at leastapproximately rectangular cross section, said block comprising a housingpart (14) with at least one housing-attached claw (26), which isintended for overlapping on two surfaces of the profiled rail (12) insuch a manner that the housing part (14) is adapted so that it can beapplied against at least two surfaces of the profiled rail (12), anL-shaped movable clamp part (28) comprising a first L leg (30) which ispivotally mounted on the housing part (14) in a manner so it can beswiveled about a first axis (32) which is parallel to the applicationsurfaces, said L-shaped movable clamp part further being prestressed ina clamping position further comprises second L leg (34) which isdesigned in the form of a claw, it encloses the profiled rail (12), anda clamp device (40, 46, 72) mounted in the housing part for clamping andstopping the clamp part (28) in the clamping position, the clamp devicecomprises an actuation projection and a pull rod, the actuationprojection (36) is mounted on the first L leg (30) of the clamp part(28) such that the actuation projection (36) projects radially outwardfrom the first axis (32), the pull rod (40) is coupled to the actuationprojection in a manner which allows swiveling about a second axis (38)which is parallel to the first axis (32), which pull rod extendsapproximately parallel to the second L leg (34), and furthermore theclamp device comprises a clamping screw (72), the clamping screw appliestension on the pull rod (40) to lock the movable clamp part in oneposition and the clamping screw is movable directly or indirectly on thehousing part (14), wherein the clamping screw is in direct threadedengagement with the pull rod (40), and the clamping screw comprises athreaded sleeve (46) which is rotatably braced on the housing part (14)and provided with a handle (70) and which has an internal thread (76)that engages an external thread (74) of the pull rod (40).
 6. Fasteningblock according to claim 5, characterized in that the support surface ofthe threaded sleeve (46) is designed in the shape of a segment of aspherical surface (78), which is applied against a complementarilyshaped bearing surface (80) of the housing part (14).